Shiatsu is the Japanese healing therapy of physical and
energy rebalance. Normally it is thought of as oriental "massage" but there
is a lot more to it than that. It is done by asserting pressure with fingers,
thumbs or palms to certain areas of the human body to correct bodily disease
and encourage general health.

The Japanese word for Shiatsu is word
made up of two written characters meaning finger
(shi) and pressure (atsu).

Shiatsu is not simply accupressure. Accupressure is asserting
pressure at certain pressure points. Shiatsu involves the application of
pressure but more so massaging a wider area.

Shiatsu also uses stretching techniques. Shiatsu is different
from Western massage in theory and technique. Swedish massage involves large
flowing hand movements to knead muscles, shiatsu therapists use rhythmic
and gradual pressure to the meridians and tsubos. There is also light 'holding'
techniques like the laying on of hands as in western spiritual healing.

Among the diverse benefits that SHIATSU presents to the organism,
it will be able to be distinguished:

It is believed to improve the circulatory system, increase
flexibility to the skin and muscular system. It helps with a better digestive
system, improve the nervous system, and strengthen the body's own immune
system.

The theory of Shiatsu is based on the oriental belief that health
is a matter of balance of the human body. The idea is not to heal directly
, but by balancing the vital energies of the patient bringing vital healing
to the point of disease.

According to The Shiatsu Society in England, the benefits are
generally believed to be:

Relaxation of mind and body

Restoration and Balancing of energy

It eases tension and stiffness

It improves breathing

It improves posture

It improves circulation

It enhances well being

The Shiatsu Association of British Columbia share with us that
in Asian culture and philosophy, there are "Four Classical approaches to
medicine which were developed in specific geographical regions:

In the South, where it was warmer, lots of vegetation
grew, making herbal remedies readily
available.

The coldness of the North fostered
moxibustion , which is the burning of
mugwort on acupuncture points.

In the East where the diet was based on
fish and salt, stomach ulcers were a problem. This condition responded well
to the stone flint needling of precise points on the body
(acupuncture) .

In the Centre of China, many physical
techniques, such as massage , breathing
and exercises evolved."

Shiatsu is based in Taoism. Dow (pronounced "dow") literally
means "way" or "path". It teaches a "journey" metaphor common to all oriental
cultures. Taoism is a philosophy of life and longevity. It has been around
for some 6000 years. Tai Chi is another facet of the active practice of Taoism
using certain exercises and a meditative thought process.

Taoism is learning to balance the feeling and thinking. It teaches
one to think of life as a flow rather than a struggle, showing one how to
relax at anytime. It teaches to rid one's self of the barriers of life with
an enlightened awareness. It helps one to eliminate toxic patterns and begin
healthier ones.

This energy
is known as "Ki"in Japan ("Chi
in china). It is believed that "Ki" to be the basic flow of energy in all
living things. The flow of "Ki" through the body is done through a system
of energy flow channels in the body called
"meridians" or simply "pathways".

An imbalance or a hindrance of the flow of "Ki" through
these meridians is believed to be the cause of disease.

A shiatsu therapist's role therefore
is to open up these meridians and allow the free flow of "Ki", by using pressure
points called "Tsubos" in Japan.

This idea is also foundational to the practice of acupuncture
(use of needles) and moxibustion (use of heat over certain points)

Meridians are numbered from 1-12 according to the flow of energy
through them.

Chakras are also a belief in several disciplines of alternative
medicine and traditional Oriental medicine. A chakra is an energy center
which functions in several ways. Each chakra is the center of a particular
organ or group of organs.

The idea of chakras are very important in the theory and practice
of several oriental dicipllines such as , meditation, reikitherapeutic touch,
yoga, aura, etc.

The word "chakra" is a Sanskrit word that means "wheel". It
is seen as a cone with its point inserted into the spinal cord. At these
connections energy is received and the cone has its opening about 3-5 inches
from your body.

The body has seven basic body chakras and a number of minor
chakras. These are from the lowest to the highest:

There are seven main chakras that are located from the crown
of the head to the base of the spine. This channel is called the "sushumna",
and is thought of as a spiritual channel. The theory is that
"energy" enters the channel from both either end.

When meditating, one should sit of stand or lie with their back
straight so as to not hinder the flow of energy.

According to traditional oriental therapies, organs have two
functions. One is the physical one. The other function is concerned with
the use of energy and is sometimes called an 'energetic function'. The twelve
organs mentioned in the traditional therapies are split into two groups known
as zang and fu.

Zang organs store energy. The fu organs produce energy and control
the removal of waste matter. The organs can be listed in pairs, each zang
matched by a fu with a similar function. Although the pancreas is not
specifically mentioned, it is usually included with the spleen. The same
applies to the 'triple heater' or 'triple burner', which is connected with
the solar plexus, lower abdomen and the thorax.

The lungs (zang) assimilate energy from the air. This energy relates to mental
alertness and positive attitude. This is paired with the fu organ of the
large intestine, which takes sustenance from the small intestine, absorbs
necessary liquids and excretes waste material via the feces. It is also concerned
with self-confidence.

The spleen is a zang organ and changes the food into energy that is needed
by the body. It is concerned with the mental functions of concentration,
thinking and analyzing. This is paired with the fu organ of the stomach,
which prepares food so that nutrients can be extracted and also any energy,
or ki, can be taken. It also provides 'food for thought'.

The zang organ of the heart assists blood formation from ki and controls
the flow of blood and the blood vessels. It is where the mind is housed and
therefore affects awareness, belief, long-term memory and feelings. This
is paired with the fu organ of the small intestine, which divides food into
necessary and unnecessary parts, the latter passing to the large intestine.
It is also concerned with the making of decisions.

The kidneys are a zang organ and they produce basic energy, or ki, for the
other five paired organs and also for reproduction, birth, development and
maturity. They sustain the skeleton and brain and provide willpower and 'get
up and go'. Kidneys are paired with the fu organ of the bladder, which stores
waste fluids until they are passed as urine. Bladder also gives strength
or courage.

The zang organ of the 'heart governor' is concerned with the flow of blood
throughout the body. It is a protector and help for the heart and has a bearing
on relationships with other. This is paired with the 'triple heater' or 'burner',
which passes ki around the body and allows an emotional exchange with others.

The liver is a zang organ that assists with a regular flow of ki to achieve
the most favorable physiological effects and emotional calmness. Positive
feelings, humor, planning and creativity are also connected with it. It is
paired with the fu organ the gall bladder. This keeps bile from the liver
and passes it to the intestines. It concerns decision-making and forward
thinking.